Low Thermal Conductivity Support Links for High-Radiation Environments
- Ultramet, Pacoima, CA (United States)
Superconducting magnets used for plasma confinement in magnetic fusion energy systems operate at cryogenic temperatures. The support structures used to hold them in place act as a heat leak path from room temperature areas to the superconductors. This results in the need for additional cryogenic refrigeration capacity, which is expensive. High-strength, low thermal conductivity, radiation-tolerant materials are needed, particularly below the toroidal magnets where the gravity loads are greatest. Open-cell metallic foams can be made from high-strength, damage-tolerant, and radiation-tolerant materials such as tantalum or niobium. The high porosity of the foam (typically >80 vol%), combined with the tortuous path of the foam structure, results in very low thermal conductivity. In this project, Ultramet reviewed the literature and identified several materials with a desirable balance among high strength, low thermal conductivity, and good radiation tolerance. Test specimens of the downselected foam were fabricated and characterized, and based on the characterization results, two materials were downselected for support fabrication. In parallel with the characterization effort, finite element thermostructural analyses were performed to determine the optimal design of the support structure. Once the design was finalized, three support structures were fabricated and subjected to mechanical testing. All cryogenic systems (not just those used in magnetic fusion confinement) are ultimately connected to a support that is at ambient temperature, and the structures along the connection path represent a heat leak path. By developing a structural insulator that is suitable for use with these systems, the material can be used in many different applications ranging from magnetic fusion confinement to particle accelerators for high-energy physics to superconducting power distribution systems to medical imaging machines.
- Research Organization:
- Ultramet, Pacoima, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0017813
- OSTI ID:
- 1498195
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase I)
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-ULTRAMET-0017813; ULTRA-TR-18-16610
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Microengineered Textured Armor for Plasma-Facing Components
Determining the Effects of Neutron Irradiation on the Structural Integrity of Additively Manufactured Heat Exchangers for Very Small Modular Reactor Applications, DOE Final Report (Project # 19-16980)